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Abstract

Circulating vasoactive peptide Angiotensin II (ANGII) has a well-known role in the development of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. In addition it has significant proinflammatory actions in the vascular wall inducing the production of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. It has been previously shown that estrogen in female mice protects against ANGII mediated hypertension and against proinflammatory effects. It is not clear if the protective effects of estrogen extend to adiponectin deficient mice. Adiponectin is one of the few peptides secreted by fat to have anti-inflammatory properties. The present study evaluates the effect of chronic ANGII infusion on expression of cytokines in female C57BL/6J and adiponectin deficient mice (adipo-/-). Female mice (24- 28wks), were implanted with osmotic pump containing either ANG II (800 ng/Kg /min) or saline. Blood samples and tissue were collected at the end of 14 days. Plasma levels of TNFalpha and IL6 were measured using enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay. Renal tissue expression of the cytokines were quantified using real-time PCR (Eppendorf Realplex 4 mastercycler) and SYBR Green ROX mastermix. Plasma TNFα levels were similar in saline infused C57Bl/6J(11±1 pg/ml) and adiponectin deficient mice(10± 1 pg/ml). ANGII did not significantly increase TNFα in the control(14±3 pg/ml) or adipo-/- mice(13+1 pg/ml). Plasma IL6 levels were also not significantly different in the two groups. A microarray for mRNA expression of markers of endothelial activation and adhesion molecules was also performed in the renal tissue. Preliminary data show that TNFalpha mRNA expression levels were not increased by ANG II infusion and IL6 expression was undetectable. ANGII also did not alter E-Selectin,VCAM1, Collagen1a1 and eNOS expression. In conclusion, ANGII infusion did not result in a proinflammatory milieu in both female C57BL/6J and Adipo -/- mice.